Kyiv authorities present chatbot to order taxi for disabled persons

Kyiv authorities launched a chatbot that will work in test mode to order rides in a social taxi designed to transport people with disabilities.

What is the problem?

During Russia's full-scale war, thousands of Ukrainians partially or completely lost mobility. Many of them have problems moving freely around the city and accessing various services.

This also applies to the taxi industry, as most of the cars do not have the conditions for the transportation of disabled persons.

The number of people transported by the service provider is increasing every month from 200 to 300, the press release says.

What is the solution?

Kyiv is the first city in Ukraine to develop and register a social taxi service for people with disabilities. It has been successfully operating for three years.

To make it easier for people with disabilities to book rides, Kyiv has launched a chatbot in test mode.

How does it work?

Kyiv authorities have currently approved 12 such vehicles to transport disabled people.

The chatbot can help book and cancel a trip, leave a review, and get answers to the most common questions.

To use the service, Ukrainians need to apply to the local administration, which makes a decision on the basis of which a contract with a social taxi will be concluded.

Earlier this year, Kyiv purchased 11 new special vehicles to transport people with disabilities. Specialized Peugeot minibuses have joined the Kyiv City Territorial Center for Social Services fleet.

The last time the Kyiv City Territorial Center for Social Services vehicle fleet was updated was in 2016. Until then, the department had 25 vehicles, which carried out about 200 transportation trips a day.